Prince Harry’s efforts to rebuild trust with the royal family could face another setback following claims about Meghan Markle’s conversations at a Los Angeles dinner party.
The controversy reportedly began after Martha Stewart made comments that sparked speculation about what Meghan may have discussed at the private gathering. Although there is no confirmation that the Duchess shared confidential information, the resulting headlines are said to have caused concern for Harry.
A source told Heat that the situation could affect his hopes of visiting King Charles at Balmoral over the summer or receiving an invitation to spend Christmas with the royal family.
“This is the absolute worst thing that could be happening right now,” the insider claimed.
“Here they are trying so hard to build back trust, and Harry’s giving his father and everyone on the King’s staff these assurances that he and Meghan will both be total vaults. And then this comes out. It’s an absolute nightmare.”
According to the source, members of the King’s inner circle are likely to draw attention to any story that could raise questions about the Sussexes’ discretion.
“The King has a ton of people in his ear who have made it their job to warn him about anything that might be interpreted negatively,” the insider said.
They added that some Palace advisers may view reports of Meghan allegedly discussing her visit with the King as evidence that she cannot be trusted, regardless of what was actually said.
The party’s host has reportedly defended Meghan, while a source close to the Duchess firmly denied that she revealed anything private.
“Meghan is adamant that she absolutely wasn’t sharing anything private, or anything at all for that matter,” the source said.
However, the insider suggested that the denial may not be enough to reverse the damage caused by the speculation, especially after years of tension between the Sussexes and the royal family.
The issue, they explained, is largely one of perception.
“It’s a terrible look and is not going to go over well with anyone at the Palace,” the source claimed. “Things are so delicate right now, and people are so thirsty for any bit of gossip, even the nod of a head can be twisted into something.”
Harry is reportedly frustrated by the controversy because it comes at a particularly sensitive moment in his attempts to repair relations with his family.
“Harry’s goal is to smooth things over with his family, and these are the exact sorts of things that make them wary,” the insider said.
The Duke is now reportedly considering whether he and Meghan should temporarily avoid certain Hollywood gatherings to prevent similar stories from emerging.
According to the source, Harry believes the couple cannot afford another controversy while discussions about future royal visits remain uncertain.
“He’s now taking the stance that the safest thing to do might be to avoid attending these sorts of Hollywood parties for the time being,” the insider concluded. “He feels they cannot afford any missteps, and clearly nowhere is safe.”
